Exciting developments in marine conservation are on the horizon as a team of experts from the University of Queensland (UQ) leverages high-resolution satellite mapping to monitor coral reefs across the globe.
Published on Tuesday in the Cell Reports Sustainability journal, the groundbreaking study revises global estimates of shallow coral reefs to 348,361 square kilometers, with coral habitats encompassing 80,213 square kilometers. This significant increase underscores the positive impact of conservation efforts and the critical role of advanced technology in environmental monitoring.
The research team deployed over 1.5 million samples and processed 100 trillion pixels from Sentinel-2 and Planet Dove CubeSat satellites. This massive data collection enabled the creation of a fine-scale, high-resolution global map, providing unprecedented detail on coral reef distribution.
By offering more accurate and detailed insights, this study not only enhances our understanding of coral ecosystems but also aids in shaping effective strategies to protect these vital habitats amidst growing environmental challenges. The use of satellite technology represents a leap forward in how we monitor and conserve our planet's precious marine resources.
Reference(s):
Satellites reveal fine-scale global area estimates for coral reefs
cgtn.com
